By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-09 22:09:36 | Updated at 2025-01-10 05:58:08
7 hours ago
Border officers in Arizona recently seized a rocket launcher and two rocket-propelled grenades they say were “likely” going to end up in the hands of the brutal Mexican cartels.
The weapons cache was concealed in a vehicle bound for Mexico and discovered by officers working at the port of entry in Nogales, AZ, on Dec. 28, according to Customs and Border Protection.
CBP officers found the weapons cache during a routine vehicle inspection at the border. X/CBPPortDirNOGNogales Port Director Michael Humphries wrote on X that “the cache was likely intended to protect the cartels and their fentanyl production labs in Mexico.”
The US Attorney’s Office in Arizona said that the weapons were inspected and found to be inert, according to AZ Family.
“The devices did not present a threat to the traveling public,” Humphries added.
The US Attorney’s office nor CBP responded to The Post’s requests for comment about whether any arrests were made.
CBP said the weapons cache was “likely” bound for cartels in Mexico. X/CBPPortDirNOGRetired ATF Deputy Assistant Director Peter Forcelli told AZ Family that the Mexican cartels are often moving weapons south, while smuggling humans and drugs north. He expressed concern with the lax enforcement on both sides of the border.
“In Arizona, the federal prosecutors there aren’t very aggressive at prosecuting cases and then number two is Aduana, which is Mexico’s customs does not inspect vehicles heading South,” said Forcelli.
Between October 2023 and November 2024, CBP officers made 424 seizures of weapons heading to Mexico, according to agency data.
“This is a human life issue because you have people dying on both sides of the border,” said Forcelli.
